Turn-By-Turn iPhone GPS App Already Available in iTunes

[MacRumors]

It seems despite all the anticipation about Turn-by-Turn GPS routing for the iPhone, an App already exists in the App Store that delivers this basic functionality.

XRoad Co.'s G-Map U.S. West and G-Map U.S. East were released into the App Store back in October and January.

The G-Map application is the first on-board GPS navigation solution to be made available for iPhone and iPod Touch download. This cutting-edge GPS-enabled application features an intuitive user interface with functions essential to the mobile consumer. Unlike other network mobile navigation services, there is no monthly fee involved and it makes instant route guidance without interruption. No internet or wi-fi connection needed to get you to the desired destination.

The app seemed to have slipped through the radar due to some major issues with the 1.0 version and it seems the turn-by-turn aspect was only recently added. Early iTunes comments for the application consisted of 1 star reviews that indicated the app simply didn't work.

On February 7th, however, XRoad released a 1.2 version update for the app which seemed to correct the major errors and added real-time turn tracking. The most recent reviews have ranged from 3-5 stars.




We briefly tested the app, and it does indeed provides turn-by-turn directions (distance countdown to each turn) by way of GPS. Local points of interest (Food, Fuel) can be found, addresses can be inserted. If a turn is missed, the route is recalculated. The app even is said to have 3D Images of major intersections (we were unable to verify). Notably absent, however, are voice prompts to let you know when the next turn is.

The 800-900 MB applications each cost $19.99 and carry regional maps for the Western and Eastern halves of the United States. By having actual maps stored on the device itself, it does not require the use of an active internet connection to pull mapping data (like Google Maps). While the app claims to support the iPod Touch, we are uncertain how this would be accomplished as it lacks a GPS.

This video from the developer shows how the app works:

video link

Unfortunately, this doesn't necessarily mean that Apple has loosened the restrictions in the App Store. The notable absence of voice prompts is attributed (in XRoad's FAQ) to Apple's "strict strategy which prohibits any real time guidance". In fact, the App even warns you on launch to "not operate this device while driving". We wonder if this FAQ entry may have pre-dated the release of the 1.2 update, however, as the company seems to lump both turn-by-turn navigation and voice-prompts in the prohibition.

We will see if Apple's restrictions remain in place when Sygic submits their GPS navigation app to Apple.

Note, while we have briefly tested this application, we have not fully reviewed it and are not necessarily recommending this app for purchase.



Article Link: Turn-By-Turn iPhone GPS App Already Available in iTunes

[mogzieee]

This looks sooooo cool, but I've only got an iPod touch that doesn't have gps.

[jcammo123]

LOVE this app...

love it.

[preservative]

Krool! Apple blamed for car accidents! And kindly do not delete my posts in future. Selling this app in the current config is dangerous as mentioned by someone else.

[notintheleast]

It looks awesome.

[madrag]

not having to rely on an internet connection is what I need!
I just hope they release some maps of Europe...

[arn]

Originally Posted by madrag

not having to rely on an internet connection is what I need!
I just hope they release some maps of Europe...

European version said to be due in Q1 2009 (soon).

arn

[princigalli]

It's nice but not as good as a real Tom Tom with voice prompt and European maps. If Apple didn't have those stupid restrictions I would now buy a new Apple 3G Iphone to run this application, but given the current policy I am happy with my first generation Iphone. Besides, my Iphone already works with networks of my choice but I don't want to play the unlocking game again with the new Iphone. This is so annoying that my next phone could be one of the hundreds of new Iphone copies coming out, all with GPS driving and open networks.

[koobcamuk]

Can't wait until England gets this...

[iMat77]

I really wonder why on Earth Apple is prohibiting such an software. Maybe they are preparing something on their own (with Google)... But I really miss such an app. Will probably purchase it as I will travel to the US and cannot affort to have data roaming for maps...

Let's see how the app evolves...

[kas23]

This App has been available for over 2 months. Why is this suddenly "news"?

[arn]

Originally Posted by kas23

This App has been available for over 2 months. Why is this suddenly "news"?

Because it didn't do turn-by-turn until recently (which was clearly described in the article).

arn

[preservative]

Originally Posted by arn

Because it didn't do turn-by-turn until recently (which was clearly described in the article).

arn

Anyone try the away back machine?

[fr33 loader]

Without voice prompts, this is actually dangerous as you have to take your eyes off the road to read the streets on a small screen. I could see its usefulness if you have another person as navigator for you. C'mon Apple, let's make this a safer world to drive.

I really wonder why on Earth Apple is prohibiting such an software. Maybe they are preparing something on their own (with Google)... But I really miss such an app. Will probably purchase it as I will travel to the US and cannot affort to have data roaming for maps...

Let's see how the app evolves...

I hear you. That is not a way to kill a competition. Developing a reasonably priced and better app over your competition is the way to trounce them. Then sit back and let the consumers decide which one is better...

[mudenza]

I really do not understand what there is to rejoice. This crap about Apple restricting developers from producing certain applications because of whatever reason is absolutely disgusting.

Its even sadder to read things like "slipping under the radar", terms I normally hear in historical documentaries talking about the days of radicalism in the war years.

Ridiculous.

[jmccray]

Well I have used this app on my last 2 trips and it has worked wonderfully. It takes a minute or so to actually find your location, but after that it works fine. I was traveling to Savannah the weekend before last and actually saw the 3D intersection. Very cool indeed!!!!!!

[alexbates]

Pretty cool, Maps needs to have a voice GPS in the future.

[Arcadie]

If they let Tom Tom develop an app with voice, i would go out and buy an iphone right now instead of waiting until my contract ends in june.

[Mykbibby]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

When someone released Podcaster, Apple denied it because they were making it themselves. The same reason with this, so be patient, and in a few months everyone will be happy.

[junker]

Seems pretty cool - this might be the first "paid for" app that I buy. Also, I noticed right away the screen shot is from my old hometown of Richmond VA out near Short Pump mall. Look like someone had the destination of Capital Ale house - man they have great blackbean burgers! (and awesome selection of beers too) heh

[princigalli]

Even if they make advanced GPS apps for the iphone, the GPS hardware will not be as accurate as a good TomTom. My navigation system acquires satellites and is ready to go within a few seconds. Large screen and large keyboard, and it connects perfectly via blutooth to the iphone. It even copies the entire contacts from the phone and the sync works better than my OSX address book with the iphone.

I don't think Apple will ever release a top quality GPS software.

[Airforcekid]

I will buy it!

[crobi]

Nothing for Québec Canada????

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by iMat77

I really wonder why on Earth Apple is prohibiting such an software. Maybe they are preparing something on their own (with Google)... But I really miss such an app. Will probably purchase it as I will travel to the US and cannot affort to have data roaming for maps...

Check whether your rental car comes with GPS. If you have a TomTom, you can just buy the US maps. I haven't seen anything saying where this app gets its maps from, and that is quite essential.

When Apple "prohibits" something, it just depends on who comes knocking on their door. If some unknown programmer builds an app, maybe they sell thousand copies, Apple may sell 100 extra phones, and then gets sued by a dozen people crashing their cars while using their iPhones or end up somewhere in the desert. If TomTom does it, you would expect that they know what they are doing and have all the safety problems under control _and_ it will help Apple selling substantial numbers of iPhones.

[WhySoSerious]

why do people need this? seriously...

the built-in google maps gps works just as well as this $40 ($20 for East; $20 for West) app. the only difference is you get some semi-fancy ground level view with a little arrow and some distance markers.

who cares? just turn on your free app, google maps and tap the gps location button to bring up your location via a blue dot; type in your destination you want to get to; zoom in a little so you can read the names of every single street; follow the path and dot; and I'm sure your brain can do the rest to get you to your destination.